Diamonds, Snow and Gold

I once possessed a good luck charm that worked.

All of us know people who believe in good luck charms. I have run into dozens -- make that hundred -- of poker players who bring good luck charms with them into a casino. Horseplayers do it, dice players do it, and slot players do it.

Johnny Chan follows an ancient Oriental custom and brings a perfect orange with him when he plays in a big cash game or major tournament.

Don't even think of stealing or eating Johnny's orange...

...that could prove disastrous.

Good luck charms can be almost anything -- a horseshoe, a rabbit's foot, the replica of a turtle, a plastic flower or a special coin.

In My Case

I was living in Las Vegas when I visited a small antique shop on the Strip. An attractive woman in her 30s operated the shop. She wore a hippie headband and greeted me with a bright smile as I entered her place.

'Greetings and blessings,' she said, extending her hand. 'What good thing can I do for you today?'

I wasn't used to such a welcome but I tried to take it in stride. I told her I was playing in a poker tournament that evening at The Orleans and was looking for a good luck charm.

'But nothing phony,' I cautioned. 'It has to work.'

'I have just what you are looking for,' she said, motioning for me to follow her. She led me to the rear of her shop and opened a glass-enclosed case. From it she took a beautiful replica of a cat.

The cat was poised...

...its paw in the air. It was white, gold and glistened with what appeared to be diamonds. She handed it to me. It was heavy. I asked her the price.

'For you only $10,' she said. 'It will help you win your tournament.'

I felt the miniature cat and held it to my ear.

There was something about it...

''I'll take it,' I said, pulling out a $10 bill. 'But if it doesn't work the way you promised, as soon as my attorney gets out of jail, you're going to be in trouble.'

She Didn't Laugh

She gave me a serious look and said, 'It will work.' She even blessed the tiny cat and blew me a kiss as I left her shop.

I named my good luck piece Diamonds, Snow and Gold.

That night I played in the tournament and used the statuette to mark my cards. Several of the players admired my cat and one offered to buy it from me. Of course I turned her down.

I won the tournament and collected over $1,200.

After that, I used my good luck piece in several other tournaments. While I finished in the money in a couple of them, I never won another one.

Somewhere along the way in my life's travels, I lost Diamonds, Snow and Gold. That was a shame. I wanted to keep it as a memory that some good luck charms really do work.

Last Trip to Las Vegas

I drove down the Strip in an attempt to locate the antique shop where I had purchased the statuette. I never found it. Either the owner had moved and the new owners changed the nature of the business or I just couldn't decipher the location.

Maybe I'll find another good luck charm one of these days. One that works. Good luck and let the games begin.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).